en e of opinion with those from whom I hold it. The impression with which I came to town was, that I should at once abstain from attendance in Parliament, and with that feeling I declined attending a meeting held that night at Mr. Ponsonby's, for the purpose of considering what was to be done next day upon the message from the Throne. When I found, however, that Lord Grenville's nearest connexions had attended that meeting, and not only they, but those who are the most decided upon the question of immediate war, such as Mr. Elliot; and when I saw that there was the most sincere anxiety on both sides to avoid, or at least to postpone as long as possible, any public declaration of the difference of opinion, I thought it would be better, not yet to go out of my own course, but to wait for the circumstances that would either force such declaration or supersede it.

Upon the message, every thing went off as well as could be desired in the House of Lords, in consequence of the cautious, if not pacific, speech made by Lord Liverpool: the same forbearance was highly desirable to have been observed in the House of Commons, but in that we were disappointed, partly perhaps by a little forwardness on the part of Whitbread, but much more by the tone of Lord Castlereagh's speech. An amendment therefore was put to the question, expressive of an opinion unfavourable to immediate and aggressive war; and though many of the real friends of peace, and of our surest adherents in politics, voted against the amendment in consequence of Mr. Ponsonby having committed himself hastily not to vote for any, yet the vote being taken, I had no hesitation in going out with the minority, and reflect upon that vote now with the greatest satisfaction.

When I went home that night, I found a note from Lord Grenville, desiring to see me, in order to have some conversation with me on the new state of affairs, which the reverse in France had occasioned. This was exactly what I most desired, and what relieved me from every embarrassment. I waited upon him next morning, (the 8th of April,) and shall now endeavour to state to you as much as I can recollect of the conversation.

[Here the letter terminates, and it does not appear to have been sent. — ED.]

LETTER CCXXXV. TO FRANCIS JEFFREY, ESQ.

My dear Jeffrey,

Lincoln's Inn, 19th April, 1815.

I did not hear before of your being ill, nor of your growing avaricious; if your avarice and indisposition grow together, I shall not be very uneasy about your health.

You did right, I feel quite certain, to save the garden wall, at least for further consideration. Though I have never seen it yet, my prejudice is much in favour of old garden enclosures near a house; shelter, and trimness, and formality, and much variety and luxuriance of vegetation close to the house, are my notions of enjoyment in a garden, which are all borrowed from Lord Bacon and Sir William Temple's descriptions, with a little improvement from Price, and are diametrically opposed to the late fashion of having nothing in sight of your mansion but grass, and that up to the door, and that close shaven, in order that there may be as little of richness in the vegetation as variety. I envy your occupations at Craigcrook greatly; for, of all things in the world, what I most long to be at, is to be in my own garden of Eden. I have a particular fancy for making a winter garden, full of all the shiny evergreens that can be brought

en e of opinion with those from whom I hold it. The impression with which I came to town was, that I should at once abstain from attendance in Parliament, and with that feeling I declined attending a meeting held that night at Mr. Ponsonby's, for the purpose of considering what was to be done next day upon the message from the Throne. When I found, however, that Lord Grenville's nearest connexions had attended that meeting, and not only they, but those who are the most decided upon the question of immediate war, such as Mr. Elliot; and when I saw that there was the most sincere anxiety on both sides to avoid, or at least to postpone as long as possible, any public declaration of the difference of opinion, I thought it would be better, not yet to go out of my own course, but to wait for the circumstances that would either force such declaration or supersede it.

Upon the message, every thing went off as well as could be desired in the House of Lords, in consequence of the cautious, if not pacific, speech made by Lord Liverpool: the same forbearance was highly desirable to have been observed in the House of Commons, but in that we were disappointed, partly perhaps by a little forwardness on the part of Whitbread, but much more by the tone of Lord Castlereagh's speech. An amendment therefore was put to the question, expressive of an opinion unfavourable to immediate and aggressive war; and though many of the real friends of peace, and of our surest adherents in politics, voted against the amendment in consequence of Mr. Ponsonby having committed himself hastily not to vote for any, yet the vote being taken, I had no hesitation in going out with the minority, and reflect upon that vote now with the greatest satisfaction.

When I went home that night, I found a note from Lord Grenville, desiring to see me, in order to have some conversation with me on the new state of affairs, which the reverse in France had occasioned. This was exactly what I most desired, and what relieved me from every embarrassment. I waited upon him next morning, (the 8th of April,) and shall now endeavour to state to you as much as I can recollect of the conversation.

[Here the letter terminates, and it does not appear to have been sent. — ED.]

LETTER CCXXXV. TO FRANCIS JEFFREY, ESQ.

My dear Jeffrey,

Lincoln's Inn, 19th April, 1815.

I did not hear before of your being ill, nor of your growing avaricious; if your avarice and indisposition grow together, I shall not be very uneasy about your health.

You did right, I feel quite certain, to save the garden wall, at least for further consideration. Though I have never seen it yet, my prejudice is much in favour of old garden enclosures near a house; shelter, and trimness, and formality, and much variety and luxuriance of vegetation close to the house, are my notions of enjoyment in a garden, which are all borrowed from Lord Bacon and Sir William Temple's descriptions, with a little improvement from Price, and are diametrically opposed to the late fashion of having nothing in sight of your mansion but grass, and that up to the door, and that close shaven, in order that there may be as little of richness in the vegetation as variety. I envy your occupations at Craigcrook greatly; for, of all things in the world, what I most long to be at, is to be in my own garden of Eden. I have a particular fancy for making a winter garden, full of all the shiny evergreens that can be brought

together; to have the enjoyment of their verdure on those winter and spring days of occasional gleam, which diversify so delightfully our stormy climate. You promise me shelter for our stoicism; you can keep no shelter but upon the old plan of a garden. I mean certainly to come and see you in the course of the year; if I can manage it, in August and September; and I fear that by that time no ethics but stoicism of the severer kind, taken from Epictetus rather than Marcus Antoninus, will suit the condition of this poor world. We are doomed, it seems, to a farther prolongation of those pangs and throes by which the continent of Europe is agitated, while she is throwing off feudalism, and the divine right of kings, and the earthly rights of priests. It is a dismal period to live in. I own, I think better now than I did two years ago, of the ultimate result to the other nations of Europe, and worse of the immediate prospects of our own country. But the glimpse of future sunshine is so faint and so far off, that it scarcely relieves at all the gloom and discomfort of our present circumstances.

I have not yet read much of the Review; but in all I have read I am satisfied and pleased with the sentiments expressed on the subject of our relations with France. All those greater politics are within your legitimate province; and you do infinite service to the public by expounding your opinions.

Affectionately yours,

FRA. HORNER.

LETTER CCXXXVI. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

My dear Lord,

Lincoln's Inn, 28th April, 1815.

In the course of a conversation which Lord Grenville had the kindness to seek with me some little time